ITV Racing’s impressive coverage of the sport takes on another dimension today as they offer coverage of their first evening meeting in the shape of the Brigadier Gerard Meeting at Sandown tonight.
Coverage starts at 6:15 on ITV4 and will be worth tuning into with an appealing card shaping up down in Surrey. We’ve poured through the card and picked out a recommendation from each of the four televised races.
18:35 - 5f (5f10y) Matchbook Commission Free On All Sports National Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo)
A pitch on the fair rail usually proves helpful in this and is just one of the feathers in the cap of Mick Easterby’s Vintage Brut.
He belied a market that was cool on his chances when winning in fine style at Thirsk on debut. That was on soft ground and he might well encounter the same conditions today if the rain on course keeps falling.
He can improve a lump and should go close to winning this at a nice price.
19:05 - 1m Matchbook Is Commission Free Heron Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo)
Without Parole is bred to be special and looked like he just might be for the Gosden and Dettori partnership when winning at Yarmouth on his second start last time.
The style and the form lines of that win mark him out as a Group horse in waiting but there’s no real will to back this son of Frankel at odds-on.
Instead, an each-way chance can be taken on Regal Reality. That one landed the odds quite nicely on debut for a trainer who has a fine record in this.
Conditions will suit and if he’s fit on return he can go well.
19:35 - 2m (2m50y) Matchbook VIP Henry II Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Weekender has been the talking horse coming into this but is worth taking on. Mount Moriah goes for Ralph Beckett and has some cast iron staying form at Group level, including when third in the Irish St Leger behind Order of St George.
Lovely return when winning at listed level at Nottingham and underfoot conditions are likely to be in his favour.
A lot to like and should outrun his price.
20:10 - 1m2f (1m1f209y) Matchbook Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+)
The feature race on the card and the closer of the live TV coverage.
Poet’s Ward has hardly been missed by anyone and may not be backable at the prices but it’s hard to see Sir Michael Stoute’s gelding getting turned over here.
His second to Cracksman in the Champion Stakes last term and second in the Sheema Classic out in the Dubai on return mark him out as a genuine Group 1 performer and as being a cut above the rest of these.
He can take this under Ryan Moore before moving back into better company but we're happy to just watch.